Server Demirtaş is a Turkish sculptor who frequently uses robotics to create kinetic sculptures. One of his latest series, AŞK (Love) portrays profound human intimacy, or love, not just between each other, but also between human beings and animals. Each sculpture showcases a different type of love, such as the love shared between an elderly couple, tenderly love between pet and owner and even passionate love between partners.
By using kinetic sculptures to showcase these different types of love, Demirtaş aims to probe into what he believes robotics or Artificial Intelligence (AI) should strive to serve, and that is to help support some humanity’s best qualities: its love for each other, and for other beings. This is why the AŞK series by Server Demirtaş is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Decent Work And Economic Growth, and Reduced Inequalities.
This reading is further bolstered by how M.A.D Gallery Geneva has interpreted his previous series of heartfelt robots, Desiring Machines, as a tool to help human beings reconsider their own humanity. The logic being, if these robots are able to mimic how human beings empathize and show kindness to one another for an extended period of time, then certainly human beings can learn from them and extend similar kindnesses and loves to their surroundings.
One of Demirtaş’ AŞK pieces, which is his own rendition of Antonio Canova’s Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss has even been displayed at Caresse Art, a visionary art project that welds art with the architectural sights of Bodrum, Turkey, a quaint beach town known for its towering castles and underwater biodiversity. The sculpture took almost 6 months to make and as a result perfectly encapsulates the intimacy of delicate touches between a young couple.
Server Demirtaş' AŞK series uses robotics to explore the many forms of love, from romantic connections to the bond between humans and animals. By creating kinetic sculptures that capture these intimate moments, Demirtaş challenges us to rethink how technology can enhance, rather than replace, our humanity. His work emphasizes that true progress lies in people’s ability to foster empathy and kindness through innovation. Through AŞK, Demirtaş offers a vision of a future where technology supports deeper human connections.
Find out more about AŞK and other pieces by Server Demirtaş on his Instagram @server_demirtas_.